The dire signals of Soliman's arrest

My curiosity was aroused by a breaking news, last week, that former DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman and a companion were arrested by the police. As the full story developed, I learned that this former high ranking official of the administration of Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo together with some 20 or so members of a group called the Black and White Movement were heading towards the bay walk area of the Manila Bay. Before reaching their destination, they were stopped by the police and told to disperse. Claiming that they were only exercising a constitutionally guaranteed right, they tried to reason their way out. But, the police would not want to have anything to do with that. The uniformed men, commenting on the obvious fact that all of Soliman's group were wearing black shirts, were bent on dispersing the group. To achieve that purpose, they arrested Soliman and one Mr. Vicente.

The story did not end there. As reported later, the former DSWD secretary and her friend, after being detained for few hours at the police station, were eventually released. I heard of no criminal cases filed against them as yet, until today, which, by the way, drives more fear among ordinary mortals because it shows that men can be deprived of their liberty for few hours and that's it.

Naturally, media men followed the story with live interviews here and there. After all, it is not every day that a personality who once shared visions with the president of the republic and trekked the corridors of power, would be subjected to such a humiliating experience as being arrested.

When the ground commander of the arresting policemen was interviewed, (I'm sorry that his name escaped my memory), he insisted that he was not acting under any specific orders from high above. He was trying to say that there was no order from any superiors, (Malacañang or anybody else) to stop all forms of expressions, especially those organized by the Black and White Movement. Indeed, he claimed that he was doing what he said was his duty and which was to let other people, meaning the pedestrians, in that particular incident, enjoy unimpeded traffic. His insistence only succeeded to convince me he was really acting under certain orders. Well, he just tried too hard and then I almost fell off my chair with his assertion that he merely anticipated the intention of Soliman and company. When asked what intention did he anticipate? His answer seemed fantastic. He was able to read the minds of Soliman and Vicente!

Achieving the unbelievable task of reading other peoples' minds, the police officer based his paranormal accomplishment on the black T shirts worn, in common, by those whom he arrested. The fact that Dinky and friends wore black shirts led the policemen to conclude the community of the Soliman's intention to disturb public peace.

The attempt of the policemen to justify their act only exhibited the paranoia of this government. It is a very dangerous thought process. I now seem to sense the worst hidden fears of the president as they are translated into the actions of her men on the ground. The president, knowing that her assumption to power started with small bands of protest, apparently does not want any form of mass actions no matter how innocent looking and no matter how small. That's why even the harmless marches of few people, like that of Soliman and company, become so intolerable, they have to be nipped in the bud.

However any student of political law reads it, this condition is akin to martial law. We know its features because we once had Martial Law declared throughout our land. By so declaring, former Pres. Marcos issued a general caveat that he, exercising military powers, placed the exercise of certain rights under close scrutiny. In the determination of the military ruler depended the liberty of individuals. The effects then, are at hand now. The only difference is that Pres. Arroyo does not have the courage to declare her intentions. She simply behaves like a martial ruler. And I shiver.